Letters to the Editor for Nov. 16, 2012

Friday

Nov 16, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Star-Banner readers share their views on retired General David Petraeus and the presidential election.

Scandal shouldn't trump serviceAh, smell the blood on the Star-Banner editorial page. Another high-profile individual has brought discredit upon himself and our country. Caught with his pants down.In the midst of Veterans Day celebrations, we can't wait to hang a highly decorated general out to dry. I am a veteran with 40 years of military service, and I admit this leaves me sad and disappointed. How dare he commit this sinful act. Well, let's see. He has spent over 37 years of his life in the admirable service of his country. He has been sent to many dirty little wars our country seems to get us into. His devotion to duty, decision making and military genius have undoubtedly saved untold lives.Because of his service he has missed his children growing up, birthdays, anniversaries, family gatherings while sitting alone in some far-off third world country trying to maintain peace. He was defending our freedoms while we slept. He is the very reason that the individual who drew the cartoon was able and free to do so.There is so much more to this man, but it is not very important now. He has made a tragic mistake and resigned his position. To his credit, I do believe it is significant that he immediately admitted to his failing. How many times have we seen this kind of courage? He has lost his career, his respect, his future life and possibly even a trip to the White House are now destroyed. Yet, all his worthwhile accomplishments remain. Let's not be so quick to destroy the man.Robert Wilkinson, USAF ret.Ocala

Respect each otherI have been trying to ignore all the bullying, subtle and otherwise, about the election, but when I saw the recent letter titled “Doomed,” I had to respond.The writer states that because I voted for President Barack Obama, I must be lazy, uniformed, a moocher, a non-productive member of society, a liberal and voted based on skin color. Well, guess what, Mr. Doomed? I do not identify with any of those characterizations.I am a middle-aged, white, Catholic, well-educated, informed and hard-working individual who voted for the person I wanted to. Isn't that my right?It's time to turn the page on the racist and disrespectful comments that are flowing. I realize everyone has the right to free speech, but this blatant disrespect is not helping our nation. It can actually provide a safety risk to us all.I was raised to respect and love my neighbors, not bully them because they do not agree with me. It is the differences in our great nation that we should be celebrating. Of course we are not going to agree on everything, but let's have a little respect. I will pray for all of you.Jeanette KhonsaryOcala

We must be betterI have nothing but praise for the intelligent column written by Julian Soto (“Civility, please,” Nov. 4), a very intelligent young man. His column shows how our politics makes all Americans look like destructive fools. As we try to make one man or woman better than anyone else, we have fallen onto being an uncivilized nation, as we have shown in this last election. Stand up, America. Show ourselves as good as we are, not as bad as we are!Janice NorthrupOcala

Let's move onI've read with amusement the letters from Mitt Romney voters who have called us ignorant, moochers and takers for voting for President Obama. To those readers collecting your Social Security, are you moochers? Many of you receive more in a month than you contributed in a year when working! Hey, that's MY money you‘re getting!Same with your Medicare (and no, the government didn't invest it or put it in a “lock box” like Al Gore wanted!).Those little mooching first-graders getting a free or reduced lunch. Seniors and low-income working families getting EBT benefits. Seniors getting fuel assistance and aid to help with the electric bill. Takers all. Seventy percent of counties with the fastest growth in food stamps voted Republican in 2008; 41 percent of those receiving food stamps have a job.Fox News' Sean Hannity has suddenly “evolved” in his immigration thoughts. Well-respected conservative writer Bill Kristol has written that if the GOP does not become more moderate it will become irrelevant. The heroes of the day were the folks who stood in line for hours to vote, despite the GOP's best efforts to suppress their basic right.As has already been written, Romney/Ryan lost all the states they had lived in/governed, even Janesville, Wis., where Ryan is from. The voters have spoken. You can stay angry and bitter or you can move on with the rest of us in this vastly diverse, moderate country of ours.Oh, by the way, you can always tell the government you don't want the very modest bump you are getting in your check next year. It's MY money, and you wouldn't want to be a taker now. I'm totally joking.Kathy O'ConnellOcala

DistractionThe press, in my opinion, are using this National Enquirer-type story to cover up the details on who in the administration is covering up the Benghazi killings. Forget David Petraeus' personal life. Last I heard, affairs where not a criminal act. Get him to testify on these killings so we can get to the bottom of who in this trustless administration is responsible for letting these four people die as they cried for help.Dave McNeilOcala